page_title: Niobrara Valley Preserve
section_title: Description
hierarchical_section_title: Niobrara Valley Preserve / Description
caption_attribution_description: English: Bison cows at the Niobrara Valley Preserve
context_page_description: The Niobrara Valley Preserve is a 56,000 acre conservation area in Brown and Keya Paha counties of Nebraska owned by The Nature Conservancy.
context_section_description: The Niobrara Valley Preserve is one of the largest areas of land devoted to conservation in the Great Plains. The preserve protects 25 miles (40 km) of the south bank of the Niobrara river and 8.5 miles (14 km) of the north bank. Steep hills and bluffs rise up to 400 feet above the north bank of the river. The unique Sand Hills approach the river on its south bank.
  The preserve is a “biological crossroads” with a mix of six different ecological types: northern boreal, western coniferous, and eastern deciduous forest and mixed grass, tallgrass, and sandhills prairie. 581 species of vascular plants, 213 birds, 86 mosses, 80 lichens, and 85 butterflies are found on the preserve. Notable species include Ponderosa Pine at the eastern limit of its range; a hybrid Quaking and Bigtooth Aspen; and Paper Birch, ordinarily found in more northern climes.
  In 1985, the Nature Conservancy re-introduced bison to the preserve after their absence for more than 100 years. More than 500 bison now graze in two pastures of 7,500 and 12,000 acres. Two thousand cattle are grazed on 27,000 acres which are leased for grazing to local ranchers. Controlled burning is used as a management tool to prevent encroachment of woody and non-native plants into prairies and forests. The objective through grazing and fire is to recreate the natural landscape.
  The Conservancy is also helping protect additional land from development or subdivision by concluding agreements with local ranchers for scenic easements.
caption: Bison cows at the Niobrara Valley Preserve.
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